When travelling on public transport, it’s natural to expect great customer service, a smooth ride and a good journey, delivered on time. This is what we at Arriva London strive for across all our routes, and when we are in the fortunate position of adding more routes to our service, we need to pay even greater attention to their introduction.

Our recent route gains in North London include route 19, from Finsbury Park to Battersea Bridge (South Side), which has meant implementing an extensive mobilisation programme to maintain these high standards.

Driver, John

To operate the route, twenty-six new Hybrid friendly buses have joined the fleet, requiring over eighty drivers. Some drivers have come from the previous operator, but many have required route learning, and all of them type training, to get accustomed to the new vehicles.

Driver, James

The new buses are proving a big success with passengers and drivers, as route 19 driver James explains:

"It’s an absolute pleasure to drive. We have had some of the newest Hybrid buses put on the route; everything is very smooth. It’s been absolutely lovely so far."

James was one of the Arriva drivers who transferred to route 19 from another Arriva London route, but some of the drivers like Harold, who came across with the route from the previous operator, had this to say:

Driver, Harold

"The main reason I came back to Arriva is I could do early duties and, secondly, I really love the route; I didn’t want to let it go. I have been driving it for many years. I love Arriva, it was like coming back home."

The introduction of all new Hybrid vehicles on route 249, which Arriva London starts operating this Saturday, underlines one of our key brand values - ‘Great customer experience - We keep our customers happy every day’.